Loads of fun and work too - Panchami morning dawned bright for 40 students as they visited and judged pandals across the city for Sobisco presents TTIS Choto Chokhe Boro Pujo, banking partner UCO Bank
Lalabagan-Nabin Pally
Items quintessentially Bengali greet pandal-hoppers at Sammilita Lalabagan Sarbojanin. The pandal here has been decorated with such items as sheelnora (grinding stone), darpan, jhaapi and ghot - an attempt to rewind to a time when technology had not become a part of everyday life.
At Lalabagan Nabankur, the focus is on patachitra. Surrounded by 4,000 diyas, the pandal impressed the young judges with its background score. "This pandal has used eco-friendly material. It also has its own music," said Jashomoti Sinha, Class XII, Modern English Academy, Barrackpore.
Made of paper mache, the pandal at Nabin Pally Sarbojanin Durgotsav took seven-and-a-half months to complete. "We wanted to draw people's attention to this ancient art," said Dipta Ghosh, president of the puja committee.
Sukumar Ray's TyanshGoru welcomed pandal-hoppers at Tala Barowari. A banana with the face of a fish, a sheep with the body of a kangaroo and a hippo peeping out of a kangaroo's pocket - the nonsensical characters caught the fancy of all. The theme: a voice against use of genetically modified organisms (GMO).
Manicktala-Nalin Sarkar Street
The first stop on this route was Manicktala Chaltabagan Lohapatty Durga Puja Committee with a pandal adorned with coconut shells. In contrast, the dark interiors of Manicktala Baroari Durga Puja Committee focussed on the theme, Muktir Khonje, depicting a person's journey from a nightmare to being rescued by god.
A favourite with the judges was the mangalghot-style pandal at Kankurgachi Jubak Brinda, where the mandap has been built with essential items used in puja.
Nalin Sarkar Street Puja Committee impressed all with a pandal themed on Ahoban Bunone Bonone. "The goddess is portrayed without weapons in two of her hands, which she stretches out to receive them from Shiva," said Indu Bikash Das, vice-president, puja committee.
Telenga Bagan Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee flaunted a pandal that resembled a beehive, leading into a sunflower garden.
Bosepukur-Hindustan Park
Bosepukur Sitala Mandir Durgotsav Committee staged the story of bodhan when the goddess was taking a breather under banana trees before vanquishing Mahishasura. The pandal is in the shape of a mocha (banana blossom) with dummy human statues, butterflies and insects creating a serene ambience.
The highlights of Bosepukur Talbagan Sarbojanin are a a 3-D show on women achievers and the patachitra and nakshikantha-style work crafted by women from Murshidabad and Burdwan. While Hindustan Park Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee has recreated a mela (fair) with a puppet show and putul naach (dancing dolls), at Samaj Sebi Sangha, artist Somnath Mukherjee has used colours and pictures to convey messages - red for revolution and white for peace.
Tridhara Akalbodhon champions the lost art of kathputul naach from Midnapore. The pandal is embellished with kodbel shells, teak foliage and fruits. "The organisers have put waste from fruits and trees to good use," said Mayukhi Ghosh, Class VII, Modern High School for Girls.
Panjika parbon is the theme at Shibmandir Sarbojanin Durgotsav Samiti, with the artwork marking important dates in the Bengali calendar and sun signs. The Badamtala Ashar Sangha pandal is a Navaratri courtyard with figurines in the middle and Durga in Gujarati garb.
Lake Gardens-Dum Dum
The puja at Pally Mangal Samity illustrates the relationship between humans and soil. The deity is earthen and the background intricately done. "Bringing nature back to Maa Durga is a beautiful thought," gushed Abon Gooptu, Class VIII, La Martiniere for Boys.
Dum Dum Park Tarun Sangha provides pandal-hoppers a glimpse of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The premises have been divided into four parts, each showcasing the work of artists from the three states and Bengal.
At the Dum Dum Park Bharat Chakra pandal, the idol is in seven colours of rainbow and the pandal vibrant with the colours of the palette.
The Dum Dum Tarun Dal pandal recreates a film set, made of soil and mud. The interior is testimony to the painstaking efforts of the artisans to re-create the atmosphere of an old Durga temple.
Dhakuria-Garia
Bengal United Club with a huge translucent pandal greeted the team of young judges at the first stopover. The pandal has been made of 32 rolls of sellotape and items such as clips, foil paper, mirror pieces, jute rope and straw have been used for decoration.
The bright blue pandal with a sunny yellow chakra at the centre at Ballygunge Cultural Association, has been built with different types of cloth and caught the fancy of the young judges.
The Dhakuria Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee has Peaceful Earth as its theme. Adorning the pandal are12 unique faces of the sun that explain the concept of seasons. "I loved the 12 faces of sun. Moreover, the pandal is eco-friendly," said Sukanya Roy, a Class XII student of Mahadevi Birla Girls' High School.
The rainforests of Nigeria come alive at Jodhpur Park Saradiya Utsav Committee with a pandal built of grass and bamboo shoots. African drumbeats play in the background. The dark-skinned idol is decked in tribal ornaments.The 95 Pally Jodhpur Park puja is themed Ananda Bhairavi or "celebration". The Garia Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee puja was shabeki, with chandeliers hanging from pandal ceilings and a traditional idol.
Beleghata-Salt Lake
Beliaghata 33 No. Palli Bashi Brinda has its pandal decked out in soothing shades. "The theme is peace. We have carved the idol in Indonesian style to complement our theme," said Parimal De, puja president.
Durga, in her Chamunda avatar, awaits pandal-hoppers at the EC Block Residents' Association puja. The deity here dazzles in hues of gold and dark skin.AB Block Abasik Sangha takes pandal-hoppers to Purulia with bamboo houses, walls, masks and tribal art.
With the motto of Sutoi Sutoi Taant, Korbo Eebar Math, AK Block Association strives to create awareness about the weaves of Bengal. Around 10,000 taant saris adorn the pandal that's also dotted with spools and charkhas.
Behala-Chetla
At Chetla Agrani Club, Shiva, the creator of both good and the evil energies, replaces asura, while the idol of Durga is based on the incomplete form as mentioned in Kalidasa's Kumarasambhavam. The theme is Srishti Sukher Ullashe.
The culture of Tamil Nadu is the theme at Suruchi Sangha. The pillars that support the roof showcase the different forms of Durga worshipped in the state. The puranas come alive with samudra manthan at Behala Nutan Dal. The idol stands under a five-headed serpent while the asuras and gods find their place on either side.
The idols at Barisha Club stand in the midst of a stadium surrounded by spectators while the stadium is surrounded by idols of Indian classical dancers and musical instruments.
Howrah-Park Circus
The first stop on this route, Alapani (Salkia), reflects the true spirit of womanhood. The theme, Brikshya Nari Shakti Nari, Alapanir Barowari, revolves around a tree and the pandal is set in two halves. "The Devi in the first half is in the Shakambhari avatar and has four hands," said Biswanath Ghosh, the assistant secretary of Alapani. In the second half, the deity appears as her usual self amidst lush greenery. The puja at Olabibitala Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee is themed on Ganga Amar Maa. The pandal is designed in the form a boat and also consists of sapta-dinga (seven boats).Park Circus Sarbojanin Durgotsav tries to spread the message of conservation of nature.
Top Ten pujas
• Naktala Udayan Sangha
• Garia Sarbajonin Durgotsav Committee
• Dhakuria Sarbojanin Durgotsava Committee
• Ballygunge Cultural Association
• 95 Pally Jodhpur Park
• Kankurgachi Jubak Brinda
• Telenga Bagan Sarbojanin Durgotsav committee
• Samaj Sebi Sangha
• AK Block Association Salt Lake
• Behala Club Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee
Text by Samabrita Sen, Rumela Sinha, Farah Khatoon, Tanisha Bagchi,
Prashun Mazumdar, Chandrajit Mitra, Prerna Chatterjee and Sinjini Biswas
